If you have listened to even ten minutes
of the two of us talking over the past couple years, you will
recognize our commitment to allowing anyone and everyone to find
the activities, content, and art forms that interest them, and feel
free to immerse themselves in that interest in whatever fashion and
to whatever degree makes them happy. For some, that is casual
enjoyment of a film franchise -- we had an episode on casual
fandoms. For others, it's fan fiction and conversation about
non-canonical relationships among fictional characters. We've had
conversations about that as well. We've discussed fanatic
appreciations of television, film, music, sports, politics, even
social activism. We do this for one important reason: because when
you understand someone's interests better, you can hopefully see
why those interests exist, even if you don't share them in the same
way, or to the same degree. The fact that it makes them happy, with
no harm to others, is the point. Love what you love.

We try, and most often succeed, in being positive people. We
revel in seeing others get excited about an upcoming release, or
watching someone discovers a new passion. We may not share that
passion. We may not be as interested in something coming to market.
But we love that others do. What we cannot abide, however, is
gatekeeping. This disgusting behavior never seems to die out, and
perhaps it's because of the immediacy of Internet response, or the
growing public awareness of these acts of intolerance and
exclusion, but with the recent news story of "Star Wars: The Last
Jedi" actor Kelly Marie Tran being effectively run off social media
by hateful comments by so-called fans who attacked her for what
they perceived as 'ruining their fandom', we'd had enough.

This time, In Defense Of is going on the offensive. Joined by
Joy Piedmont of Reality Bomb, and Don Klees of Acorn
Media, we're asking everyone to tear the gates off.

About the Podcast

A cultural discussion podcast promoting appreciation, support and inclusion of all fandoms, interests and hobbies, in the interest of true community.
Join your hosts Keir and Alyssa each month, along with our ever-changing panel of special guests!